Ugandan Warlord Victims Awarded $56 Million in Landmark ICC Ruling
In a historic decision, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has granted over €52 million ($56 million; £44.5 million) to victims of Ugandan warlord Dominic Ongwen. The ruling encompasses nearly 50,000 individuals, including former child soldiers and offspring of rapes and forced marriages, who endured Ongwen’s reign of terror as ruthless commanders in the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
Currently serving a 25-year sentence in Norway for multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity, Ongwen’s plea to be recognised as a victim was dismissed by the court. Despite being abducted as a child and coerced into joining the LRA, he ascended to leadership within the notorious rebel faction, perpetrating unimaginable atrocities in northern Uganda during the early 2000s.
Presiding Judge Bertram Schmitt emphasised the comprehensive nature of the compensation package, awarding €750 ($812; £642) to each individual affected by Ongwen’s heinous deeds. Additionally, the remaining funds will fuel collective reparations aimed at rebuilding shattered lives through community projects.
The LRA, originating in Uganda with the aim of establishing governance based on the Ten Commandments, was eventually expelled from the country in 2005. Judge Schmitt vividly recounted the litany of horrors unleashed by Ongwen, including systematic sexual violence and the forced conscription of children as soldiers.
The aftermath of LRA attacks left entire communities traumatised, with survivors navigating landscapes strewn with carnage. While the court acknowledges the lengthy process involved in distributing reparations, priority will be given to the most vulnerable victims.
Funding for the reparations will be drawn from the Trust Fund for Victims, which relies on contributions from ICC member states and other donors. However, the current resources fall short of the $56 million obligation, necessitating additional support from governments, organisations, and individuals.
A detailed compensation plan is slated for submission to the ICC by September 2024. The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, was established to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity, viewing reparations as a beacon of hope and resilience for communities ravaged by conflict, underscoring its commitment to restorative justice.
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